Outdoor Lighting in San Marcos, CA (2026)
1 verified outdoor lighting rules for San Marcos, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Light Trespass & Shielding
San Marcos caps perimeter lighting at one-half of one foot-candle at any point along a property line under Zoning Ordinance Section 20.300.080. Upward-directed lighting that does not illuminate a building, landscaping, or site surface is banned outright, floodlighting is prohibited citywide, and fixtures must be shielded to keep light on-site.
San Marcos Light Trespass Foot-Candle Limit
Some RestrictionsSan Marcos Zoning Ordinance § 20.300.080.1(k)
b.Any lights used in conjunction with a permitted use shall be shielded or directed away from adjacent residential uses.d.Shielded fixtures with well defined cut-offs directing light downward toward ground surfaces shall be used to confine illumination to on-site areas only. ... e.Lighting directed upward that does not light buildings, landscape, or site surfaces is prohibited in all Zones.f.Fl...
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County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement San Marcos city rules.
Outdoor Lighting in San Diego County →